XML 60 R46.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.0.1
Summary of significant accounting policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]        
Capitalized interest costs   $ 1.5 $ 1.2 $ 1.1
Income taxes paid, net   17.3 37.3 41.6
Cost of sales   1,501.6 1,539.1 1,493.2
Research and development costs   18.0 15.0 17.0
Fixed asset impairment $ 3.8      
Shipping and Handling        
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]        
Cost of sales   $ 101.0 122.0 132.0
Louisiana pigment company, L.P        
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]        
Owned manufacturing joint venture 50.00% 50.00%    
Valhi Inc        
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]        
Income taxes paid, net   $ 11.8 $ 15.9 $ 17.6
Valhi Inc | Parent Company        
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]        
Parent company ownership interest 50.00% 50.00%    
Valhi Inc | NL Industries Inc.        
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]        
Ownership percentage in company 83.00% 83.00%    
NL Industries Inc. | Parent Company        
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]        
Parent company ownership interest 31.00% 31.00%    
Contran        
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]        
Controlling interest description   Consequently, at December 31, 2023, Ms. Simmons and the Family Trust may be deemed to control Contran, and therefore may be deemed to indirectly control the wholly-owned subsidiary of Contran, Valhi, NL and us.    
Contran | Valhi Inc        
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]        
Ownership percentage of parent company held by related party 91.00% 91.00%